Courage to Change

To transition or not to transition? Alas, poor baby boomer, that is the question. Most of the people surrounding me are pondering some type of change. Consideration of change has been forced upon us either by the economy, an empty nest, a lost relationship or simply a zest to live and enjoy life to its fullest. Many of us see the writing on the wall…there will be no money for retirement, so we must work for a long time and enjoy what we do!

Yesterday, sweet Anita at Castles Crowns and Cottages wrote a powerful, emotional post about walking away from her current job as a teacher into a new adventure. There are so many people dear to me in her shoes, and each one sat at the feet of this post in tears.

Sandals: BCBG at Marshalls

Something Anita made abundantly clear….TRANSITION TAKES COURAGE. We must be willing to test the water and if failure occurs…brush it off…and try a new direction. Anita has made the courageous decision to follow her calling and gifting. Are any of you considering the same transition?

Bracelet: KOHLS

Have a wonderful Saturday...go out there and turn your can'ts into cans!

Both the pink cardigan at the top and this blue

tunic (love the pockets) were found at Chico's On Sale

...their sales lately have been incredible!

Keep it up Chico's!!

Something Different Friday!!

It’s Friday…springtime…well, that’s enough to make us happy!! I thought I would share with you some extra photos I have taken when out and about shooting for fashion! I hope you enjoy these and have a great weekend!

Laugh until your body aches, cry until you start to shake, live like the world is yours to take and love as though your heart won’t break! - Unknown

It doesn’t matter if the glass is half empty or half full. Be thankful that you have a glass and grateful that there’s something in it! -Unknown

OK, it was just too hard to stay completely away from fashion for one whole post!  Gigi's earrings are from a store in Dallas called
SWAG!

Make sure you enter the $100 gift card giveaway at

the top of the sidebar!!

GIFT IDEAS?? THINK SMALL BOXES!

Remember the old saying that good things come in little boxes!  This is especially true if the little boxes come from INPINK…the presentation is as beautiful as the jewelry itself….making them a perfect item for gift giving.  We may be way past the holidays, but spring brings a whole new round of special occasions for gifts.

Gold Tone Oblong Link Chain Necklace
Gold Tone Contoured Matt Metal Cuff

  Any mom would light up over a selection from this website….or what a beautiful presentation for all of the bridesmaids in your party…or a fun stylish item for any female graduate or hidden beneath the colored grass of an Easter basket.  And the best part??  You know it will arrive beautifully wrapped with a beaded tie and hot pink gift card!   Gigi loved the earrings I got for her and they completely fit her artistic flair. 

Deep Red Wine Bone Bangle

 Please keep INPINK in mind…I love the bracelets and necklaces I recently received and I know you will see me styling them a lot…such as the red bracelet in yesterday’s post!

Metallic Plate Peacock Necklace with Earrings

In Love with this Silver Cuff with Beige Stones!!!!

You will be pleased with a decision to select INPINK for yourself or a gift!  I am looking for a chic, black or grey, maxi, knit dress to wear with the last bracelet...a perfect going out look and the bracelet does all the talking!

HAPPY THURSDAY ALL!!

Now, Go join the Bloggers of

Katie's Favorite Things Blog Hop!

InStyle's Hidden Treasures + Department Store Comeback!

I don’t know why I haven’t thought of it before….wearing different shades of green on green. After all, I look at green on green every day all around me woven throughout nature. But, I just never translated this natural color combination to my closet.

Until, that is, InStyle Magazine for April printed these cards to help us visualize which neutrals and colors look best together for Spring and Summer. I now have them in my closet and today I am wearing….yes, light green with olive green. I highly recommend you grab the April issue…if not for these cards alone…they really help!

Here is also an interesting business article from this week: Macys and Dillards are staging a comeback!! I am not surprised about Macys….their top of the mind awareness is huge right now with their presence on Fashion Star (Austin designer, Ross Bennett, has his shorts in Macys today!) and The Revolution. Add that to the regular advertising schedule….you see their name often.

http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-revolution/blog/style/tim-gunn-presents-spring-hottest-fashions

I have not been to Dillards in a long time. This article may have convinced me to go say hello. The article reports: "Both retailers have cut costs dramatically, partly by closing stores; put a greater focus on private labels and exclusive brands; and built stronger online presences."  I would like to see if I notice any differences in the stores.  The battles between Macys, Dillards, JCP, and Kohls have been interesting to follow from a marketing point-of-view.

Green Blouse: Lane Bryant
Ralph Lauren Jacket: Macys
Lee Slimming Jean: Kohls
Wanted Flats: Marshalls
Bueno Bag: Marshalls
Red Wide Bone Bangle from INPINK

Happy Wednesday everyone!!

So, what do you think of green on green??  And make sure
you check out other bright colors at Trending through the Decades: Brights

Dressing for Many Hats!

How many hats do you wear? My number has changed with life transitions…I no longer wear the ones for chauffeur, daily cook, homework tutor, or party planner. But, now I am wearing

High School teacher and mentor

Freelance writer – two local news publications

Fashion journalist and blogger

Wife, mom, friend….

Wearing different hats can often mean dressing for those roles in different ways. When I am on-the-job as a reporter, I really like to wear pants or jeans. That way I can move with ease and bend down for a variety of angles on the photos. I also like to be a bit more stylish or trendy casual. But, when I am teaching M-Th, I need a professional appearance. (Yes, we have casual Fridays).

Jacket: Old Navy
T Shirt, Red Denim: Lane Bryant
Bracelet: Forever 21
Cole Hahn Flats: Marshalls

I wore today’s outfit on a casual Friday when I had to leave school and become a reporter. It was a fun, casual outfit to wear and I could move about easily. I am finding many days when I must look at the hats I wear and make wardrobe decisions based on the assignments ahead. This is new for me…but can still be fun. The challenging days are the ones when I leave one job and must head to another wearing the same look.

A couple of years ago, Lane Bryant handed
out these shirts free one day with a purchase!

How many hats do you have to consider when dressing?

  Remember to win the $100 gift card from Market Place India...just click here!  If you tweet or Facebook the contest, I will throw in an extra entry for each!!

And check out une femme's Karina Dresses Giveaway....its a good one!

Happy Tuesday!

Fashion With A Purpose...and a Giveaway Too!

Last summer, one of my former editors went to work at an orphanage in India. She was captivated with the beauty of the Indian people and heart sick over the conditions for the children. Her writing was poignant and powerful ….through it I began to have a heart for the people as well.

So, when Market Place India contacted me about a collaboration which also helps women in India, I did not have to think twice about it! Here is their mission statement straight from the website:

Our Mission

MarketPlace: Handwork of India is an innovative fair trade, not-for-profit organization which combines the experience of running a business with a variety of support programs designed to effect real, meaningful, and lasting change in the lives of low-income women in India. We work with 480 artisans who are organized into 14 independent co-operatives which produce high-quality women's apparel and home decor. Being in charge of their own businesses, the women learn valuable skills and are able to earn a living and support their families. In addition, programs offer educational and enrichment opportunities designed to help the artisans overcome personal, cultural and financial obstacles. Empowered with independence and self-confidence, these women become agents of change. And they find the courage, with the support of their cooperative members, to fight for what they believe in. Asserting themselves as decision-makers in their families, they have kept their children in school and out of early marriages, thus ensuring them a better future. They have also become social activists, using the skills they have learned in the workplace to improve conditions in their communities. In MarketPlace's comprehensive and creative organization, economic development is only the first step for these brave and resourceful women.

Tunics are really in this summer… I have seen them everywhere and I love the one sent to me!! The first look I styled might be for work, church, or dinner out.  The second might be for a casual day of shopping or a movie.   Please consider helping these women and order your tunic, or another garment, accessory or even home decor from Marketplace.

Also, they are giving away a $100 gift card on my site as well as with other bloggers this week…so you have multiple opportunities to win one! Such a generous offer!

Here is all you have to do:
 Of course, you must be a follower of over50feeling40; then visit their website and tell me in the comment below what you like!! I will award a winner on April 4!!

Footnote: As of noon on Monday, we were notified that we cannot accept international entries for this giveaway. If you have already entered, I will remove your name.  So sorry!


Great looks for a great cause….no better way to spend a VISIBLE MONDAY!

http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2012/03/visible-monday-39-black-and-blue-and.html

Also, check out the bloggers of Monday Mingle!

http://www.glamamom.com/2012/03/mode-monday-shine-on-glamamom-featured-on-kohls-com-sponsored.html

Summer Nights - W by Worth Part 2

As I began to type this post, Olivia Newton John singing filled my head...so, oh,oh those summer nights!!  The summer collection from W by Worth is filled with perfect ensembles for those warm summer events from weddings to dates with your significant other!!

The LBD above can be as sexy as you want with a keyhole which opens or closes and is a fabulous fit in this black ponte knit...the seaming is perfect.

In my part of the country, the temperatures at night can easily stay in the 80s and 90s until morning, so comfort is a must. Wearing breathable fabrics helps immensely....it is never fun to be at a fancy party sweating profusely!

Keep accessories simple in the summer as well...a great statement necklace or lightweight scarf will do the trick.  Local jewelry designer Deborah Long-Shirley always brings the perfect toppers to the W previews!

Have a beautiful Sunday and I will see you late for Visible Monday, Monday Mingle, and a incredible giveaway collaboration with other bloggers!!

Summer Collection from W by Worth, Part 1

When you think about it, some great words begin with the letter W….weekend, womanly, wonderful, works, white, wardrobe, whimsical, worth, WOW! All apply to the summer collection introduced this week from W by Worth.

W interprets the current trends beautifully with a nod to color blocking, safari, prints, polka dots, resort wear, and minimalism presented in natural fabrics which breathe during the hottest of weather. That’s important in Central Texas where today’s temps will already climb close to 90. Our summer heat really begins now and goes through October. The collection offers many pieces which transition easily from one season to another.

I was taken with the pieces made from burn-out jersey. The feel and look of the fabrics were fabulous and unique. As always, the ladies from San Antonio collaborate with jewelry designer, Deborah Long-Shirley to show one-of-a-kind necklaces made just for this collection. I am going to present this to you today and tomorrow with most of the necklaces showing tomorrow. My lovely model is style consultant, Cathy! If something catches your eye, just check it out at W by Worth, or if you are in San Antonio call Kerry at 210-2058 or Cathy at 210-288-1624.

Happy Saturday everyone!!



 

Burn-out Jersey Looks:

 

Happy customer with style consultant, Kerry (R)!

Come back tomorrow for more great looks!